- Airbus to acquire majority stake in the C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership, effective July 1, 2018
- All regulatory approvals required for the closing of the transaction have been obtained
- Partnership head office, leadership team and primary final assembly line located in Mirabel, Québec (representing some 2,200
employees and subcontractors), with the support of the C Series global supply chain
- Partnership brings together two complementary product lines, with 100-150 seat market segment projected to represent 6,000
new aircraft over the next 20 years
- Addition of Airbus’ global reach to create significant value for C Series’ customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders and
communities
- Significant C Series production efficiencies anticipated by leveraging Airbus’ production ramp-up expertise
- Growing market for C Series to support second Final Assembly Line in Alabama, serving U.S. customers
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands and MONTREAL, June 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Having received all required
regulatory approvals, Airbus SE (EPA:AIR), Bombardier Inc. (TSX:BBD.B) and Investissement Québec (IQ) have agreed to close the C
Series transaction effective on July 1, 2018. The transaction by which Airbus will acquire a majority stake in the C Series
Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP) was initially announced in October 2017. The Mirabel-based partnership, which was originally
established between Bombardier and IQ, will benefit from Airbus’ global reach, scale, procurement organization and expertise in
selling, marketing and producing the C Series – a state-of-the-art jet aircraft family in the 100-150 seat market.
Airbus will work with its partners Bombardier and IQ to fully unlock the C Series’ potential and create
significant new value for customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders and the communities in which the partnership operates. The
partnership’s head office, primary assembly line and related functions will be based in Mirabel, Québec.
As previously announced, Bombardier will continue with its current funding plan of CSALP. Due to the early
closing of the partnership, the terms of this plan are updated according to the following schedule: Bombardier will fund the cash
shortfalls of CSALP, if required, during the second half of 2018, up to a maximum of $225 million US; during 2019, up to a maximum
of $350 million US; and up to a maximum aggregate amount of $350 million US over the following two years, in consideration for
non-voting participating shares of CSALP with cumulative annual dividends of 2%. Any excess shortfall during such periods will be
shared proportionately amongst CSALP’s Class A shareholders. Airbus will consolidate CSALP effective from July 1, 2018 onwards.
Further financial information on the transaction will be provided later this year.
The C Series program continues to ramp up. Having delivered 17 aircraft in 2017, it is gearing up to double its
deliveries in 2018.
With the C Series’ demonstrated in-service performance and the finalization of this partnership, the parties
expect increased demand to support a second C Series Final Assembly Line in Mobile, Alabama, dedicated to supplying U.S.-based
customers. The C Series is positioned to capture a large percentage of the estimated 6,000 aircraft needed in this market segment
over the next 20 years.
Airbus Chief Executive Officer Tom Enders said: “This partnership extends our commitment to Québec and to all of
Canadian aerospace, and we are very glad to welcome so many C Series teammates into the extended Team Airbus. The strength of the
entire Airbus organization will be behind the C Series. Not only will that enable this outstanding aircraft to fulfill its market
potential, but we are convinced the addition of the C Series to our overall aircraft product offering brings significant value to
Airbus, our customers and shareholders.”
“This marks the beginning of a very exciting new chapter for the C Series and the Canadian Aerospace industry,”
said Alain Bellemare, Bombardier President and Chief Executive Officer. “The C Series is widely recognized as the most advanced and
efficient aircraft in its class and this partnership will ensure its commercial success. Airbus’ unmatched global scale, strong
customer relationships and operational expertise are necessary ingredients for unleashing the full value of the aircraft. Together,
we will create tremendous new value and opportunities for airlines, suppliers, shareholders and employees.”
“By combining the world’s most innovative and efficient aerospace technology – designed and engineered in Québec
– with Airbus’ market and expertise, we are creating a brand new dynamic in a promising segment,” noted Québec’s Deputy Premier,
Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy Dominique Anglade. “Above all, we are
ensuring the growth of the C Series and securing the more than 2,000 jobs attached to it in Mirabel. In addition to maintaining the
C Series’ head office, engineering and R&D activities in Québec, this partnership positions Montréal as Airbus’ largest
research and development centre outside Europe, representing tremendous opportunities for our entire aerospace industry.”
“The C Series team in Québec is proud to participate in this opportunity to drive the success of this amazing
aircraft,” said Philippe Balducchi, CEO of the C Series partnership. “Our teams have worked tirelessly to merge cultures and bring
operations together well ahead of schedule and are confident in our ability to make this win-win partnership a thriving commercial
success. The composition of the C Series leadership team reflects our principles of bringing together the best talent that both
sides have to offer. We are ready to turn outward and help our customers get their hands on the hottest aircraft in its
segment.”
About Bombardier
With over 69,500 employees across four business segments, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation
industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation
experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.
Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier has production and engineering sites in 28 countries across the
segments of Transportation, Business Aircraft, Commercial Aircraft and Aerostructures and Engineering Services. Bombardier shares
are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, Bombardier posted revenues of $16.2
billion US. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.
About Airbus
Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2017 it generated revenues of € 59 billion
restated for IFRS 15 and employed a workforce of around 129,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners
from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well
as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft
solutions worldwide.
Contacts for the media
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release includes forward-looking statements, which may involve, but are not limited to: statements
with respect to our objectives, guidance, targets, goals, priorities, market and strategies, financial position, beliefs,
prospects, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions; general economic and business outlook, prospects and
trends of an industry; expected growth in demand for products and services; product development, including projected design,
characteristics, capacity or performance; expected or scheduled entry-into-service of products and services, orders, deliveries,
testing, lead times, certifications and project execution in general; competitive position; the expected impact of the legislative
and regulatory environment and legal proceedings on our business and operations; available liquidities and ongoing review of
strategic and financial alternatives the impact and expected benefits of the transaction with Airbus described herein, on our
operations, infrastructure, capabilities, development, growth and other opportunities, geographic reach, scale, footprint,
financial condition, access to capital and overall strategy; and the impact of such transaction on our balance sheet and liquidity
position.
Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”,
“will”, “shall”, “can”, “expect”, “estimate”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “foresee”, “believe”, “continue”, “maintain” or
“align”, the negative of these terms, variations of them or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements are presented for the
purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding certain key elements of our current objectives, strategic priorities,
expectations and plans, and in obtaining a better understanding of our business and anticipated operating environment. Readers are
cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
By their nature, forward-looking statements require management to make assumptions and are subject to important
known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecast
results set forth in forward-looking statements. While management considers these assumptions to be reasonable and appropriate
based on information currently available, there is risk that they may not be accurate. The assumptions underlying the
forward-looking statements made in this press release in relation to the transaction with Airbus discussed herein include the
following material assumptions; the fulfillment and performance by each party of its obligations pursuant to the transaction
agreement and future commercial agreements and absence of significant inefficiencies and other issues in connection therewith; the
realization of the anticipated benefits and synergies of the transaction in the timeframe anticipated; our ability to
continue with our current funding plan of CSALP and to fund, if required, any cash shortfalls; adequacy of cash planning and
management and project funding; and the accuracy of our assessment of anticipated growth drivers and sector trends. For additional
information with respect to the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements made in this press release, refer to the
Strategic Priorities and Guidance and forward-looking statements sections in Overview, Business Aircraft, Commercial Aircraft,
Aerostructures and Engineering Services and Transportation in the MD&A of our financial report for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2017.
With respect to the transaction with Airbus discussed herein specifically, certain factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the
failure by either party to satisfy and perform its obligations pursuant to the transaction agreement and future commercial
agreements and/or significant inefficiencies and other issues arising in connection therewith; the impact of the announcement of
the transaction on our relationships with third parties, including commercial counterparties, employees and competitors, strategic
relationships, operating results and businesses generally; the failure to realize, in the timeframe anticipated or at all, the
anticipated benefits and synergies of the transaction; our ability to continue with our current funding plan of CSALP and to
fund, if required, the cash shortfalls; inadequacy of cash planning and management and project funding. Certain other factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, risks associated with general economic conditions, risks associated with our business environment (such as risks
associated with “Brexit”, the financial condition of the airline industry, business aircraft customers, and the rail industry;
trade policy (including potential changes to or the termination of the existing North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada,
the U.S. and Mexico currently in discussion); increased competition; political instability and force majeure events or natural
disasters), operational risks (such as risks related to developing new products and services; development of new business; the
certification and homologation of products and services; fixed-price and fixed-term commitments and production and project
execution; pressures on cash flows and capital expenditures based on project-cycle fluctuations and seasonality; our ability to
successfully implement and execute our strategy and transformation plan; doing business with partners; product performance warranty
and casualty claim losses; regulatory and legal proceedings; environmental, health and safety risks; dependence on certain
customers and suppliers; human resources; reliance on information systems; reliance on and protection of intellectual property
rights; and adequacy of insurance coverage), financing risks (such as risks related to liquidity and access to capital markets;
retirement benefit plan risk; exposure to credit risk; substantial existing debt and interest payment requirements; certain
restrictive debt covenants and minimum cash levels; financing support provided for the benefit of certain customers; and reliance
on government support), market risks (such as risks related to foreign currency fluctuations; changing interest rates; decreases in
residual values; increases in commodity prices; and inflation rate fluctuations). For more details, see the Risks and uncertainties
section in Other in the MD&A of our financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future growth, results and performance
is not exhaustive and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Other risks and uncertainties not
presently known to us or that we presently believe are not material could also cause actual results or events to differ materially
from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. In addition, there can be no assurance that the anticipated
strategic benefits and operational, competitive and cost synergies of the transaction with Airbus will be realized in their
entirety, in part or at all. The forward-looking statements set forth herein reflect management’s expectations as at the date of
this report and are subject to change after such date. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we expressly
disclaim any intention, and assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by
this cautionary statement.
